(Publisher’s Note: 1-3-1. Fans aren’t happy. The players are not happy. But Head Coach Derek Army undeterred, and that is why, as the Nailers head to Reading for two games against the Royals, he is determined to concentrate on the positives and fix the negatives before next Wednesday’s road match in Toledo.)
Now that you have watched the team play a couple of times, what are the Nailers’ strengths and weaknesses?
I really think the Nailers’ biggest strength to this point has been their team speed. Every time they get their momentum moving forward and get in hard on the forecheck, good things happen. They’ve been successful thus far at causing turnovers and creating rushes and good, quality shots off of them. If the Nailers continue to use that team speed and move the puck quickly from defense to offense, they can continue to see success.
Another important facet is creating good scoring chances and getting shots on goal. It worked well in the Iowa game, where they outshot the Heartlanders 39-20 and at one point had a 23-shot advantage on them. Taking advantage of the opportunities they are creating by forcing the goalie to make a play and, who knows, maybe they sneak a couple in and use their team speed to keep the pressure up and continue to succeed.
On the other side, a considerable weakness I’ve seen so far is their depth. I feel like they have a very good offensive line, a line that has seen some ups and downs, and the rest just seem happy to chase the puck too much. It would be very helpful if (head coach) Derek Army and the rest of the coaching staff can get the lower part of the forward group to work on zone entries, puck control, and not chasing the puck as much as they are. When that happens and the other team is controlling play in your zone, it increases the chances they’ll create a scoring opportunity.
And to be honest, even though he was able to earn the team their first victory, I haven’t been overly impressed with the play of (Taylor) Gauthier in net yet. Even in the game against Iowa, it felt like he was out of position more than a few times and had to find a way to make a tough save on a relatively routine play. I know he’s young and still learning, but I would like to see the team give (Tommy) Nappier a little more time between the pipes while Gauthier adjusts to the change in difficulty and works on staying in position a little better.
Do you believe the smaller rink at Wesbanco Arena is suitable for the team developed by head coach Derek Army?
I’ll be honest, up until this season, I never really felt like the size of the rink was an issue or that it felt that much smaller than other rinks. But in watching this year’s version of the Nailers, I do get the feeling that the smaller rink can have a negative effect on a team hoping to play with speed. You need that space to allow your players to use their speed to their advantage. With less ice surface there, players get jammed up more and need to find other ways to create space, which has been harder to come by so far.
I do believe this team, with this coaching staff, will eventually grow and learn what they need to do on the smaller surface to find success moving forward.
The Nailers continue to unveil more in-game entertainment features. Which ones have been your favorite to this point?
After the question last week, I decided to partake in the Chuck a Puck again at Sunday’s game against Iowa, and it was actually pretty fun. I still didn’t get close to getting into the laundry basket, as most of my throws hit the glass and landed in the front row or just across on the ice, but I enjoyed taking my chance in the hopes I could have made it to the ice. And, of course, all of the different crowd engagement activities, like the Dance for your Dinner and the Minute to Win It games, are always fun too. Something to get the fans/kids in the audience engaged helps bring them back in the future, which should always be the goal for the Nailers.
The arena is surrounded by food options and, of course, there is Generation’s on the bottom level. What have you enjoyed so far while attending Nailers games?
Just the other day at the game, the wife and I decided to enjoy some Tito’s Sloppy Dogs before the game. I have not had an opportunity to this point to go out to their restaurant and try their food, and let me tell you, I will definitely find a way now. It was absolutely delicious! I’m excited for the chance to get to the downtown location and see what they might have on their menu out there and try something new.
I also really enjoy some of the snack options available from Generations, River City, and Vocelli’s, as well. I think the arena has some wonderful options available in house for food for many different levels of eaters.
Without naming names, do you believe this year’s ECHL franchise has one or two – or more – players who we will see in the NHL someday?
I would love to think we’re seeing the future of the NHL in the Nail City right now. There are some guys who have shown the skills it would take to make it to that point in the future. But I also want to caution that there is a LOT of hockey to be played between this level and that one.
Every player, up and down the roster, has to continue to work hard and learn what it takes to be a professional to hopefully reach that point. I would say I can see a player or two on this year’s roster having a chance to make it to that point (especially those currently on professional contracts), but I hope those players don’t just rest on their laurels and the skill they already have and expect to get it.
If they can continue to push themselves to be better today than they were yesterday, there’s no reason they can’t earn their way to that point.
